Milford: Class of 2018 visits high school

MILFORD – The incoming freshman class said hello to their new stomping grounds Thursday morning at Milford High School's Freshman Orientation.

The new students, fresh out of Middle School East, received their locker and homeroom assignments, class schedules and took tours of the school.

The Class of 2018 then assembled in the auditorium to hear from student leaders on the clubs and sports they could join, ranging anywhere from the cheer squad to mock trial to the Microfinance Club.

"The upperclassmen here are very helpful," Principal Carolyn Banach told the class. "You're going to find the school culture here is the best you can find anywhere."

Afterward, the class gathered in the cafeteria to eat free pizza with their new homeroom classmates – the group of students they’ll be starting and ending the day with for the coming year.

"I'm excited to learn new things and meet new people," said Edgar Gonzalez Nunez while waiting in line for his food. "Yeah, I’m looking forward to high school."

Other students expressed interest in the sports programs.

"I'm excited for swimming," said Dan Pacella. "I've been doing it for the past six years, but doing it on the high school team and going to practice will be a lot of fun."

Pacella said he also plans to participate in student leadership and mock trial. He said the transition from Middle School East, which only houses the eighth grade, to a four-grade school, may be tough.

"It'll be different because for the past two years we've either been upperclassmen or in our own school," he said. "It's going to be a lot different with upperclassmen. We might get treated differently."

Nathan Yohn said he’s more excited to participate in the various clubs the high school offers and hopes to participate in student leadership and Best Buddies.

"There's going to be more opportunity but also more responsibility," he said. "It's probably going to be a different workload. I'm kind of stressed about that."

But, he said, the prospect of forging new relationships in a new environment trumps the work-related stress.

"I think I'll be able to handle it," he said.

Bill Shaner can be reached at 508-634-7582 or at wshaner@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bshaner_MDN.